Hello there, precious and semiprecious metal stackers. The other day I went to a flea market called "El Tiradero," which means The Dump. We took a bus to the city of Ocotlan and the market was just a short walk from bus station.
There were tools, clothes, antiques, and even coins. I didn't but any coins as I'm not that numismatically knowledgeable when it comes to Mexican coins. Apparently some were silver though.
I was looking for a different type of coin. One that I'm starting to form a small collection out of already. I speak of the fuedal barter tokens traded on haciendas since before the 20th century!
Background
This is an excerpt from a previous article I wrote on the subject:
Haciendas were large estates that were composed of plantations, mines, and/or farms and even small villages. What an hacienda essentially is is an enterprise. All the profits from the land-holding went to the hacendado or "master". The hacendados were peninsulars in colonial times, the top rank of New Spain hierarchy, which meant he had pure Spanish blood and was born in Spain. Even after Mexico gained independence however, the hacienda system continued. They did not reside on their estates, preferring instead to live in the capital, Mexico City, or in Spain. In their place, overseers were left in charge; the position of overseer was by term rather than permanent position, which was the case for the workers.
The tokens were traded for various cash crops such as corn, sorghum, firewood, even wool.
"La Flor" was the name of the hacienda this copper token came from. Meaning "The Flower," it has a unique design, which is why I bought it.
I like to collect unique pieces, especially with images. Here are some more from my collection.
This one from Cerro Pelon depicts a sheared ewe.
I am skeptical about this one, which depicts a trotting horse. Atotonilco is misspelled. It might be fake but, then again, it might not.
Sometimes I feel like minting my own tokens. If I do, I'll do it with aluminum.
I hope you enjoyed my pedacito de patria, my piece of Mexican history, my precious.
Until next time!